Lex travels to Washington

Lexington plays at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Washington.

The Warriors are 6-0, 3-0   under the direction of head coach Brad Beller.

Washington has outscored opponents 226-83 this season, averaging 38 points per game.

After a scoreless first half last Friday, Lexington drew first blood in the scoring department but eventually fell to Christian Heritage Academy, 26-14, on Floyd West Field.

The ‘Dawgs are now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in district play this season. 

Keith Bolles acknowledged that his squad played lights out on the defensive side of the ball in the opening two quarters. 

Bolles said Dalton Matthews and Avery Armstead played outstanding and Cam Conner  controlled the middle.

In the third quarter, it seemed as though Lexington had corrected their offensive mistakes. Dylan Cottrell scored on a 54-yard run to open the second half. The two-point conversion was good, staking Lexington to an 8-0 lead.

CHA came right back with a five-yard touchdown run less than a minute later. The Crusaders’ attempt for two points was no good.

Lexington relied on Cottrell’s legs again when he dashed 45-yards into the end zone. The PAT kick was blocked.

The wheels fell off the wagon for Lexington in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders scored from seven yards out with 10:29 remaining and converted the two point PAT to knot the score.

CHA forged a 20-14 lead on a 74-yard touchdown pass with 1:49 left in the game. The two-point try was no good.

A pick six by the Crusaders provided the final tally.

“The defense played outstanding,” Bolles said after the game. “I thought we would go into halftime and make some adjustments. We came out and started the second half pretty good.

“We had some kids step up but we had a bad break here and there. I hate that for our kids and we’re just going to regroup and be ready to play again this week.”

Lexington ran three more plays than the Crusaders and out gained them 292 to 278. But five turnovers sealed the Bulldogs’ fate.

CHA did not commit a turnover.

Cottrell played his heart out, rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He was 8-17 for 84 yards passing in the game but was picked off four times.

Heath Winterton played an outstanding game last Friday. He ran the rock 22 times for 68 yards. Defensively, he had five tackles with two tackles for losses.

“We worked really hard this past week for CHA,” Winterton said. “We did a lot of conditioning and tried to get better. A lot of us were out of shape but we’ll get better as the season moves on. We played as a team on defense in the first half. We did our best.

Bolles thought the team played well last Friday - save for the fourth quarter flubs. He thinks Cottrell, Winterton, and his entire squad are giving it all they have.

“I think the world of those two young men,” Bolles said of both Cottrell and Winterton. “When the lights come on, they’re giving it everything they have. They don’t leave any question mark about their effort and I’m very proud of them as well as the entire team.

“Our offensive line did a great job, especially in the second half. Winterton and Cottrell fed off each other. Things went well for us in the third quarter. We just have things we have to put together an entire game.”

Bulldog notes:

Lexington Head Coach Keith Bolles nominated quarterback Dylan Cottrell for Offensive Player of the Week.

Bolles nominated Heath Winterton for Defensive Player of the Week.

Bolles nominated Wyatt Webb the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Webb graded out to an 88 percent.

Bolles nominated Dalton Matthews as the Defensive Lineman of the Week. Matthews finished with four tackles, including two for losses.